Is making/selling cone topper signs a lucrative business?

[IHaveRespawned]

Me and my wife are going to produce and sell signs that attach to traffic cones. My wife majored in printmaking and has taken an interest too.

Here are some examples:

In magenta ("DOT" Pink):

• "INCIDENT AHEAD"
• "HIGH WATER"
• "ROAD DEBRIS CLEARING"
• "HEAVY SMOKE"

In white:

• "FIRST AID STATION"
• "EVENT PARKING"
• "RESERVED PARKING"

Yes

No

See poll

[AviatorTom]

Ideally don't know if it would be lucrative, it has several problems.

The sign increases the center of mass of the one, making it more susceptible to tipping over.

The sign makes it easier for wind to blow the one over.

With the sign just sitting in the top of the cone, it's likely some people will steal the sign as a souvenir.

[Sevenpointfive]

i can see them being useful. i'd say a $100,000 business. it's something in this economy

[IHaveRespawned]

I am thinking my niche markets are EMA, EMS, Fire-Rescue, Churches, Schools, Shopping Malls, Event Coordinators, Municipalities, etc...

[Sevenpointfive]

i'd make a list of those people in charge of their budgets. you'll have to pitch this to them and they might already have someone? it's a good idea. they might like it. but you'll have to undercut the competition squeezing any profit. what are you making these out of? they need to be weather resistant. i'd just copy what's already available and sell for cheaper. that's the only reason this isn't a more profitable idea.

i'd work on a proposal for a targeted audience like Fire Rescue. that would be your easiest. you might run into legal problems though. these are street signs, so they might have to be made by the state. look into that. but it would be great for a monthly event we have here. there are tons of parking lots that need these and they'd by them. you wouldn't have legal issues with that. but you'd have to target events or parking lots because they aren't looking for these signs.

[AI Opinion]

I’ve advised a few micro‑sign businesses. The answer: it *can* work, but usually as a niche side business, not a windfall.

Key points to validate quickly:

1. Target customers
- Event companies, safety contractors, construction firms, campus/security, venues, municipalities.
2. Buying pattern
- Do they buy once, or repeatedly? Any consumable angle (dates, branding, changing messages)?
3. Competition
- Search “cone topper signs” and see: pricing, materials, customization options, minimum order sizes.
4. Differentiation
- Faster delivery?
- Custom graphics/branding from your wife’s design skills?
- Better durability or reflective ink?
5. Unit economics
- Cost per topper: material + ink + labor + packaging.
- Realistic selling price.
- Profit per order (include shipping).
6. Sales strategy
- Local B2B outreach (event planners, construction/safety companies).
- Online: Etsy for small buyers; your own site + SEO/Google Ads for business buyers.
- Offer bundles: “Event kit” (PARKING + FIRST AID + CHECK‑IN, etc.).

I’d start small: 10–20 local clients, get feedback, refine designs and pricing. If you see repeat orders and good margins, then consider scaling; if sales are sporadic and price‑sensitive, keep it as a complementary product, not your core business.

[exitseven]

Like any other business that has to deal mostly with municipalities, the jobs often go out to bid. It's hard to make any real money like that

[Anonymous]

Other companies are producing these. Before entering the market, see if you can produce and sell them at competitive prices and get your foot in the door with potential customers.

[msc545]

Bad idea. Those signs obscure visibility, and they can go through windshields.

[Abbycado]

Dude, you need a Walmart job.

[IHaveRespawned]

I am a security officer

[IHaveRespawned]

And please refer to me as "Mr. Officer", please... lol

[leviopperman]

is there demand for those?